As inflation hits our wallets, we are all bemoaning the cost-of-living crisis. So I am happy to tell you about the Dacia Jogger — which might just bring you a bit of cheer.
Much can be said of this highly flexible and practical seven-seater, designed to cater as much for hard-working but cash-strapped 21st century families on a tight budget as for those with an active outdoor lifestyle.
Some 8,000 have already been sold in the UK since its launch last year, and I’ve just taken one for an extensive and enjoyable spin.
Dacia is the Romanian budget arm of French car giant Renault, and its value-for-money, no-frills vehicles (unless you want to add them) are a delight to drive and fill the price gap left by Skoda before it went all posh.
Prices for the seven-seater Jogger range start at a frugal £18,295 for the 1.0-litre 109 horsepower TCe 110 petrol six-speed manual model in entry level Essential trim. I was driving the mid-level Expression, from £18,444. Yet once tempted in, 70 per cent of buyers trade up to the top spec Extreme with all the trimmings, from £20,585.
Value for money: The Dacia Jogger is roomy and has good looks
And if you want to push the boat out, there’s the top-of-the-range, self-charging hybrid 140, which links a 1.6-litre petrol engine with two electric motors. Costing from £22,995, it offers 56.5mpg fuel economy.
The Jogger has stylish exterior looks and plenty of space inside. The interior is simple but smart, with a straightforward, clever layout. Even with all seven seats in place, you can still fit in a surprising amount of shopping.
Dacia is the Romanian budget arm of French car giant Renault, and its value-for-money, no-frills vehicles are a delight to drive
The interior is simple but smart, with a straightforward, clever layout
Prices for the seven-seater Jogger range start at a frugal £18,295 for the 1.0-litre 109 horsepower TCe 110 petrol six-speed manual model in entry level Essential trim
Even with all seven seats in place, you can still fit in a surprising amount of shopping
It’s relatively easy to get into the generous rear two seats by folding down those in front. These can be removed and stored in special bags.
The Jogger is also easy and fun to drive. Riding on 16in wheels, my TCe 110 accelerates from rest to 62mph in 11.4 seconds up to a top speed of 114mph.
It’s well stocked with kit, including reversing camera, blind-spot warning, cruise control, speed limiter and parking sensors. However, you will have to rely on your smartphone for sat-nav, which is only available in the top Extreme trim.
Duke of Richmond awarded Issigonis Trophy
Goodwood’s Duke of Richmond, who presides over one of Britain’s great motoring events, has been awarded Autocar magazine’s Issigonis Trophy at the 2023 Autocar Awards held at Silverstone.
Named after the Mini inventor Sir Alec Issigonis, it is awarded to individuals making ‘a historically significant contribution to one of the world’s largest industries’.
Top prize: Goodwood’s Duke of Richmond, who presides over one of Britain’s great motoring events, has been awarded Autocar magazine’s Issigonis Trophy
The timing could not have been better, because 2023 marks 75 years since the Goodwood Motor Circuit opened; the 30th anniversary of the Festival of Speed (July 13-16); and 25 years since both the Goodwood Revival (September 8-10) and the foundation of the Goodwood Road Racing Club.
The duke said: ‘At Goodwood we take great pride in our events. Even as we celebrate 75 years of motorsport at Goodwood, we’re looking ahead to the next 75, and beyond.’
UK’s used car market grows 4.1% in first quarter
If you are looking for a second-hand car, there’s plenty of choice out there.
The UK’s used car market grew 4.1 per cent in the first quarter of this year.
According to latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT), more than 1.84 million used car sales took place in the first three months of the year.
Plenty of choice: The UK’s used car market grew 4.1 per cent in the first quarter of this year
Pure electric vehicles were the fastest growing, with sales rocketing 56.5 per cent, though still representing just 1.4 per cent of the market.
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales rose 13.9 per cent, while hybrid sales grew by 38.2 per cent. But petrol and diesel cars still accounted for 95 per cent of the market, though sales fell by 1.2 percentage points on last year.
Superminis remained the most popular vehicle type. Best sellers were the Ford Fiesta, pictured, Vauxhall Corsa and VW Golf.
Most sought after car colours were sombre black, grey, blue and silver.
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